Stories of
American Heroes -
Brought to you from the "Home of Heroes" - Pueblo, Colorado

Clifford Chester Sims

TAPS

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night.

Barrancas National Cemetery
29-546

Born:June 18, 1942 at Port St.
Joe, FL

Entered
Service in the US Army from Jacksonville, FL

Earned The Medal of Honor During the Vietnam War For heroism
February 21, 1968 at Hue, Vietnam

Died:February
21, 1968 at the age of 25

Staff Sergeant
Sims squad was assaulting a heavily fortified enemy position
concealed within a dense wooded area when it encountered strong
enemy defensive fire. Once in the wood line he led his men in a
furious attack against an enemy force which had pinned down
another platoon and threatened to overrun it. After a successful
defense, he was ordered to move his squad to a position where he
could provide covering fire for the company command group and to
link up with yet another platoon which was under heavy enemy
pressure. After moving 30 meters he noticed that a brick
structure in which ammunition was stocked was on fire. Realizing
the danger, he took immediate action to move his squad from this
position. Two members of his squad were injured by the
subsequent explosion, but Sergeant Sims' prompt actions
undoubtedly prevented more serious casualties from occurring.
While continuing through the woods amid heavy enemy fire, he and
his squad were approaching a bunker when they heard the
unmistakable noise of a concealed booby trap being triggered to
their front. Staff Sergeant Sims warned his comrades of the
danger and unhesitatingly hurled himself upon the device as it
exploded, taking the full impact of the blast.